Panthers overcome deficit to complete season sweep of Owls

By Patrick Chalvire/Staff Writer

Despite trailing by as many as 16 points, the Panthers rallied to finish the season with a 74-70 win over the Florida Atlantic Owls.

The Panthers (15-16, 7-9 Conference USA) were led by redshirt junior Dennis Mavin, who ended the night with 23 points and four rebounds. Mavin went 6 of 13 from the floor and went 10 of 10 from the free throw line.

The matchup was Mavin’s first time back at FAU since last playing for the Owls in 2012.

Redshirt senior Rakeem Buckles finished with 18 points, shooting 6 of 10 from the floor. Buckles’ dunk with 17 seconds left to play helped seal the Panthers win.

Senior Tymell Murphy also finished with 13 points and a team-high eight rebounds and a game-high six steals in his final game as a Panther.

The Panthers were able to cut their deficit in the first half after a 13-0 run but still trailed the Owls, 38-30, going into the locker room.

The Owls out rebounded the Panthers 15-11, forcing FIU to eight turnovers, converting them for 12 points.

Going into the second half, the Panthers continued where the first half left off.

The Panthers got their first lead of the game, 52-50, with nine minutes left to play after a layup by Mavin.

The teams exchanged leads four times before Buckles’ dunk sealed the win.

The win snapped a two-game, road losing streak for the Panthers, as well as completing a season sweep of the Owls. The Panthers previously beat the Owls, 66-57 on Jan. 25.